midleton distillery tour

Visiting The Midleton Distillery In Cork (Ireland’s Largest Whiskey Distillery)

By Author Johnny Friel

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

The Midleton Distillery in Cork is one of the best known whiskey distilleries in Ireland .

Jameson Whiskey is emblematic of every Irish pub, with the drink being so special that it even comes from the Gaelic word “uisge beatha” meaning “water of life”.

A trip to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton offers visitors the chance to discover how Irish whiskey is made along with offering an insight into the story behind one of Ireland’s most famous distilleries.

In the guide below, you’ll discover everything from what the Midleton Distillery tour involves and how much it costs to what to do nearby and more.

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting the Midleton Distillery

Photos via Jameson Distillery Midleton on Instagram

Although a visit to the Jameson Distillery in Midleton is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

You’ll find the the Jameson Distillery in Midleton in Cork. It’s a handy, 23-minute spin away, which means you can easily pair a visit with some of the other worthwhile things to do in Cork City .

2. Getting there from Cork City

There is a bus service that runs every 30 minutes from Cork bus station to Cork Parnell place bus station ( which drops you right outside the brewery). There are also regular trains from Cork’s Kent station to Midleton, too.

3. Home to the most expensive Irish whisky

You can find bottles of whiskey at the Midleton Distillery that were distilled as far back as 1974 and cost a staggering €35,000 each, making them the most expensive Irish whisky in the world. The Old Midleton Distillery closed down back in 1975 , so these whiskey bottles are extra rare.

4. The Jameson link

Back in 1966, the Cork Distillers Company joined with their city rivals, John Jameson & Son and John Power & Son, forming the Irish Distillers Group. The newly formed company decided to build a new all-purpose distillery in Midleton, closing the old Midleton Distillery in 1975 and moving production to the New Midleton distillery that was built right next to it.

The history of the Midleton Distillery in Cork

Photos via Jameson Distillery Midleton (Website & Instagram)

Back in 1825, the Murphy brothers, James, Daniel and Jeremiah, converted an old woolen mill into what we now know as the Old Midleton Distillery.

Part of this building can be visited on the Midleton Distillery Tour (more on the tour in a moment!).

A tasty proof of concept

5 years later and the Old Midleton distillery had produced 400k proof gallons and they had 200 workers. But the sales of Irish whiskey was to sharply decline due to Anglo-Irish trade wars and the rise of blended whiskeys.

By 1966, there were only three surviving distilleries in Ireland so John Jameson & Son joined forces with rivals John Powers & Son, creating the Irish Distillers company.

This amalgamation resulted in the closing of the Old Midleton Distillery in 1975 and the closing of poorly located distilleries in Dublin.

The result was that all production moved to Midleton and the company opening what we know as the New Midleton Distillery. The old Midleton distillery was turned into a visitor center and is home to the world’s largest pot still of 31,618 gallons.

The Midleton Distillery Tour

Photo by Chris Hill via Ireland’s Content Pool

The Midleton Distillery Tour is arguably one of the best things to do in Cork when it’s raining (especially if you’re visiting Cork City, as the distillery is a short spin away).

The tour of the Jameson Distillery in Midleton is pretty straightforward, and the reviews online are excellent. Here’s everything you need to know.

1. What’s involved

The Midleton Distillery Tour is a fully guided tour that starts off at the Old Midleton Distillery where you can see where all the magic was first created as well as learn stories about Jameson’s rich heritage. It’s also fascinating to learn about those that worked at the distillery and the field-to-glass processes.

Your guide then takes you around some of the key buildings such as the warehouses and the microdistillery. The whole distillery is set over 15 acres and the setup is impressive to say the least.

2. How long it takes

The Midleton Distillery Tour takes around 75 minutes when you do the guided tour, this includes a short film about the history from its establishment right up to present day. Group sizes are limited to up to 15 people currently and kids are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

3. How much the tour costs

The tour costs €30 for adults and it’s worth booking it online in advance (affiliate link – cheers if you book through it as you’re helping to keep this site alive).

Things to do near the Jameson Distillery in Midleton

One of the beauties of Jameson Distillery in Midleton is that it’s a short spin away from a clatter of other attractions (there’s lots of things to do in Midleton ).

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the Old Midleton Distillery (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Ballycotton Cliff Walk

Photo via Luca Rei (Shutterstock)

The Ballycotton Cliff Walk is a non-looped, 7.4 km trail that’s loved by tourists and locals alike. It can get windy so do prepare in advance with good grip shoes. Close to the parking area are picnic tables and you’ll be treated to glorious coastal views along the way.

2. Roches Point Lighthouse

Photo by mikemike10 (Shutterstock)

Located at the entrance of Cork Harbour is the landmark Roches Point Lighthouse . First established on the 4th June 1817 to help guide ships into the harbour, it was ultimately replaced with a larger tower because it was deemed too small back in 1835. You can climb the top of the lighthouse and get some amazing views from the balcony.

Photo by Chris Hill

The cute, colourful village of Cobh is best known as the last port of call to the Titanic and the Titanic Experience attracts tonnes for visitors every year. There’s plenty of other things to do in Cobh , like Spike Island and a number of walking trails.

4. Cork City

Cork city is under 30 minutes from Midleton so you might as well pop in for something to eat. If you love food, the English Market is the go-to spot (although there are lots of great restaurants in Cork City ). For a bit of history, Cork City Gaol will give you an insight into prisoner life over 100 years ago. Cork is very walkable so you could easily visit a number of landmark locations in a few hours.

FAQs about the Jameson Distillery in Midleton

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from whether the New Midleton Distillery tour is worth doing to what there is to see nearby.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What whiskeys are made at the Midleton Distillery?

As Ireland’s largest whiskey distillery, the Jameson Distillery in Midleton produces a large number of spirits, from Midleton and Powers, to Jameson, Redbreast and much more.

Is the Midleton Distillery Tour worth doing?

Yes. The Midleton Distillery Tour should tickle the fancy of both those fond of whiskey and those just looking for an interesting tour to ramble around. The distillery is packed with history and the areas story is told brilliantly on the Midleton Distillery Tour.

Is there much to do near the New Midleton Distillery?

Yes – there’s plenty to do a stone’s throw from the New Midleton Distillery, with everywhere from the historic City of Cork to the fishing village of Cobh a short spin away.

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Midleton Distillery Experience

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• (0.34 km) An Stor Midleton Townhouse
• (0.32 km) Teach na Coille B&B
• (0.74 km) Midleton Park Hotel
• (1.19 km) Carrigshane House Bed & Breakfast
• (7.16 km) Castlemartyr Resort
• (0.18 km) Ferrit and Lee Restaurant
• (0.19 km) Surf andTurf
• (0.21 km) The Pantry
• (0.23 km) Monty's Cafe
• (0.19 km) Donatello's Pizzeria

Midleton Distillery Experience

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Midleton Distillery Experience - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson

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Jameson Distillery Midleton

Old Midleton Distillery, Distillery Walk, Midleton, P25 Y394

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THE MIDLETON DISTILLERY: THE GIANT LIFE-RAFT OF IRISH DISTILLING

The Midleton Distillery is the unequalled giant of Irish distilling, and the producer of some of the island’s best loved whiskeys, including Jameson, Redbreast and Powers. It can deservedly be seen as having saved the ancient tradition of whiskey making in Ireland, persevering alone through the gradual slump and near-on full collapse of Irish whiskey production, brought on by Prohibition and lasting through to the 1970s..

The New Midleton Distillery (right beside the Old one) was opened in 1975 by Irish Distillers. The company had been formed after three smaller distilleries, Jameson, Powers and the Cork Distillery, banded together for the sake of survival and shifted all their individual production to the only location fit for proper expansion.

With a continuous distilling tradition dating back to 1779, the various whiskeys now under the Midleton Distillery umbrella comprise the core modules for any introductory course in Irish whiskey. However, they are also some of the most important electives for those graduating up through mid-range to old and rare bottlings, and right up to true Irish whiskey expert status.

A REFRESHING GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS

The uniting of some of Ireland’s most beloved whiskeys under one roof has created a dynamism in skills and thoughts that nurtured the growth of Irish whiskey. Like old Irish monks and hermits in the Dark Ages, taking the “Good Word” to the safety of remote island communities for safekeeping, the Irish whiskey industry, on its last legs, set its final hopes on the New Midleton Distillery. From there, with careful stewardship, the individual whiskeys have risen, and continue to rise, to become recognised as some of the finest in the world.

For almost 200 years, from 1786 (though the distillery was active from 1780), the Jameson name was inextricably linked with the Bow Street distillery in Dublin city centre. At the time, Irish whiskey was second only to rum in global popularity, and by the early 19th century, Jameson was the most popular whiskey in the world. With a favourable change in excise laws and a reputation for a refined product, millions of casks rolled out of Bow Street and onto barges on the River Liffey. The barges then transported them the short distance to the port of Dublin, and from there to the rest of the world. Alas, these glory days weren’t to last.

The first assault on Jameson, and Irish whiskey in general, came in the form of fierce competition from Scottish distilleries. These fierce competitors had introduced the innovations of blending different whiskeys to lower costs and also self-bottling to control quality. By the beginning of the 20th century, Scotch had become more popular, and by the 1960s, after Ireland’s independence in 1921, Prohibition in America, a long trade war with Britain and two world wars, Jameson was barely surviving. Its magnificent distillery had become outdated and dilapidated, and in 1971 it moved to Midleton as part of the valiant effort to save Irish whiskey. This period of downfall was not the end, however, as when deciding on which whiskey would best represent Ireland’s hopes for a new beginning, the nascent coalition of Irish Distillers settled on Jameson. With its distinctive green bottle and long history of excellence, not to mention the distinctive light and mellow taste, it is usually the first Irish whiskey most people try. As well as that, its aged and special Reserve editions are held in high esteem by reviewers and collectors alike.

Founded in 1791 by pub owner James Power, Powers only truly came into its own under his son John (and his own son James, named for his grandfather). Rapid expansion followed the Excise Act in 1823 as Irish whiskey went through a golden era. By the turn of the 19th century, the distillery boasted 6 pot stills and was producing more than 900,000 gallons of whiskey a year, only slightly less than Jameson at the time. The distillery complex, on the south side of Dublin’s River Liffey facing across to its fierce rival Jameson, took in nearly 7 acres, employed about 300 people and boasted cavernous vaults under the city for storing and maturing casks.

Its story from that point, however, is similar to all Irish distilleries: war, embargoes, Prohibition and Scotch domination took a heavy toll on the venerable powerhouse. This was despite the best efforts of the Power family, who were among the great innovators of Irish distilling, and had been the first to start bottling their own whiskey in 1886. Powers remained family owned until 1966, surviving but hardly thriving, when it joined with Cork Distillers and buried the hatchet with Jameson for the greater good of Irish whiskey.

The whiskey today still maintains its own distinctive rich and slightly spicy flavour, and it has recently given fans even greater choice with a Pure Pot Still and a 12 Year release. It is through its Gold Label that it is most widely known, and despite the popularity of Jameson globally, Powers is still the most popular whiskey in its home country.

MIDLETON VERY RARE

The first “new” whiskey to be released as part of the Midleton adventure was in 1984, and was rightly named after its distillery, a fitting tribute to the new unified front of Irish Distillers. Released every year in a limited quantity up to 50 casks, Midleton Very Rare is hand selected by the Master Distiller and can contain a mix of anything from 12 to 25-year-old single pot still whiskey. As the distillery’s premium offering, and thanks to its extreme rarity and annual variation, Midleton Very Rare has become the most sought after Midleton release for connoisseurs and collectors alike.

GREEN SPOT AND YELLOW SPOT

One of the causes of the unfortunate demise in Irish whiskey was the fact that up until the 20th century, most distilleries didn’t bottle their own whiskey. This was done by the many bonded merchants who purchased casks directly, and from there did with them what they wanted. Due to the widespread adulteration that followed, whiskey from trusted and reputable vendors came to be highly prized. Thus, Mitchell and Sons, with their premises on the refined south side of Dublin city, came to prominence as providers of matured Irish whiskey to high society. Renowned patrons included great literary figures such as W.B Yeats and Samuel Beckett.

The names came about from a very simple system: the colour of spot daubed on the cask to identify it. Green Spot was pot still whiskey aged from 7 to 10 years, and Yellow Spot spent at least 12 years in Malaga, bourbon or sherry casks. Today, the two whiskeys seek to recreate the tastes of that era by following the same processes of distilling and maturation, giving a notable and complex tasting experience.

Single Pot Still whiskey is the true definer of Irish whiskey, and Redbreast was always one of its finest archetypes. It is known colloquially as “the priest’s bottle”, from a time when the priest was the only gentleman around with enough disposable income to spend on the greater pleasures in life. Redbreast holds a sacred place in Irish whiskey history, originating from its golden period in the 19th century.

As mentioned, distilleries of that time sold their produce by the cask to various merchants, bottlers and publicans.One of the grandest was W & A Gilbey, who matured their own whiskey, straight from Dublin’s distilleries at their bonded warehouses around the city. From 1887, this stock came solely from Jameson and was marketed under their own Castle Whiskey brand, with the best of these their 12 Year Redbreast. Thus, for more than a century Redbreast has been viewed by the Irish as the premium Irish whiskey, a tradition which is well lived up to today. The whiskey is highly regarded, and is constantly recognised for its paramount status among Irish and world whiskeys. Among many others, it has received Irish Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray and double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bottles From Midleton Distillery

Midleton Very Rare 2024

Dair Ghaelach

Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood Tree 7

Redbreast 30 Year Old All Port Single Cask #38635

Redbreast Dream Cask II Pedro Ximénez Edition

Jameson St. Patrick’s Day Edition 2013

Redbreast Dream Cask III 32 Year Old

Jameson 15 Year Old Pot Still Millennium Edition

Midleton Very Rare 2003 Vintage

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Old Midleton Distillery

The visitor is invited to take a one hour tour of the Old Midleton Distillery, the home of Jameson Irish whiskey. The guided tour begins with an audio visual presentation (available in 7 languages) followed by a walk through the beautifully restored industrial complex, unique within Ireland and Britain. See the fully operational Water Wheel, large Grain Stores, Mill Buildings and the largest Pot Still in the world. With the appetite suitably whetted it is now time to experience the famous tutored Irish Whiskey Tasting in the Jameson Bar (minerals available for children). After a complimentary glass of Jameson, why not visit the extensive gift shop, or have lunch in the Malt House Restaurant.

In 1966, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillers company (which owned the Old Midleton distillery) mergered to form the Irish Distillers Group. The board of the newly formed company decided to close their existing distilleries and consolidate all production at a new facility. This was built at Midleton as it was the only existing site with room for expansion. In July 1975, production ended at the old distillery and began in the new one.

Production Today Midleton is one of the most modern distilleries in the world, and with a production capacity of 19 million litres per annum is the largest in Ireland. The distillery boasts thirteen 75,000 litre stills, both pot and column, which are used in combinations of three to produce different types of whiskey.

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Paul Passing Through is a travel blog designed to give you travel tips, travel recommendations and travel itineraries to help make the most of your travel time!

Things to Know About the Jameson Experience Tour

A visit to Ireland wouldn’t have been complete for me without a tour of the country’s favorite whiskey. In fact, one of the main reasons we chose to stay in Kinsale was due to its proximity to Midleton where the Jameson Distillery is located. Come along with me as I take you along the Jameson Experience Tour!

An important note before moving on: There are two different Jameson Distilleries you can tour in Ireland. There is one in Midleton (near Cork) and another in Dublin. This article is about the one in Midleton. We chose Midleton’s because it had better reviews and we were going to be in that area as we made our way around the country.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission. This occurs at no added cost to you.

Table of Contents

Paul’s Summary

How to get to the jameson experience tour.

The three closest major towns to Midleton are Kinsale, Cobh and Cork.

If you’re driving from Kinsale or Cork, make sure you take Cork’s traffic into account. We drove around Cork during rush hour traffic, and it added about 30 minutes to the drive. These 30 minutes can be quite unpleasant on the return trip after tasting all the whiskey!

It’s about a 15-mile drive from Cork via N25 eastbound. You could also take the train from Kent Station to Midleton Station.

The drive from Cobh is about 11 miles. Head north out of town via L2989 until it intersects with R624. Turn right and then continue on this road until the exit for N25 eastbound.

From Kinsale

Kinsale is definitely the farthest drive, but Kinsale came recommended over the other two as a place to stay due to its smaller size and atmosphere. It’s at least a 45-minute drive even without much traffic. Make the drive easier by planning to stop in Cork or Cobh for some brief sightseeing and/or a meal.

Take R600 northbound out of Kinsale for 12 miles, and then take the exit for N40 eastbound. After five miles, take the exit for N25 toward Midleton. Stay on this until you reach Midleton and see signs for the distillery.

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Ticket Options

The Midleton Jameson Distillery offers five different ticket options including four tours and one tasting. We chose the combined Jameson Experience Tour and Premium Whiskey Tasting as it offered the most value and I couldn’t pass up a chance for an additional whiskey tasting!

Below is a list of each option with prices and major differences from the Jameson Experience Tour and Premium Whiskey Tasting (I’ll discuss this tour in more detail throughout this article). Ticket costs are in US dollars and are per adult with the exception of the Family Experience. The Family Experience price listed below is for two adults and one child, but you can add two additional children if needed.

Before the Tour

If you arrive early, take some time to walk around the attractive grounds. There’s a small stream running by the distillery to relax next to. They also have a food stand sitting outside selling some basic fare if you need to fill up before your tour.

In the case of rain, you can head inside to explore the store. There are some artifacts from Jameson’s history you can view, too, if you want to learn a bit about the company before starting the tour.

The Jameson Experience Tour

General info.

The Jameson Experience Tour is 60 minutes long. It consists of a short video at the beginning followed by a walking tour through the old Jameson grounds. You don’t tour the modern factory; yet it can clearly be seen in some of the outside areas.

There’s a single guide taking you along the tour. I can’t remember our guide’s name, but he was entertaining and knowledgeable about the factory. I tend to stay on the outskirts of guided tours, either in the front or back, so I ended up being next to him as we walked from stop to stop. It was a joy briefly chatting with him and asking questions.

Most of the corporate history of Jameson is provided in the introductory video. This video takes about five minutes or so before you head outside for the tour. The guide will talk about some history of each specific stop, but the tour is more about the processes involved for making Jameson whiskey.

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Building Facades

The buildings with their Jameson-red shutters are certainly the prettiest parts of the tour. That color is so iconic that when I saw the first buildings it gave me goosebumps. It was such a striking image against the cloudy, gray sky above.

I’m including the large waterwheel that sits outside one of the buildings here. It’s still running and is impressive to think that this simple contraption once powered these factories to give the world Jameson.

Still House

Inside the still house you learn about the actual process of distilling whiskey. It’s interesting hearing the facts and figures on how Jameson distills its famed spirit. You also get to see the world’s largest pot still. This still can hold over 140,000 liters of liquid!

The cooperage was my favorite part of the tour. I feel like booze fans always get excited about barrels for some reason I can’t even identify. Maybe it makes us feel smart to say things like “Oooh, this whiskey really picks up the vanilla notes from that French Oak barrel.”

Who knows! Regardless, it was the best part. It’s always astonishing to hear how many barrels alcohol producers go through. The numbers are staggering when you learn about how much effort goes into making just a single barrel.

Be sure to lean in for a sniff of some of the barrels. Don’t be embarrassed! Every guy will likely be doing the same thing with you. A few of the ones I smelled gave off some amazing bourbon and oak smells.

Whiskey Comparison

The last tour stop is in a small room where you’re given three different types of whiskey to compare. There’s a Jameson, a scotch, and either a Tennessee whiskey or a bourbon (I can’t remember which for the life of me).

I enjoyed this part because it was like a trivia game, and I love myself some trivia! The scotch was the easiest to identify. It was a little trickier to figure out the Jameson from the American whiskey. If you’re an aficionado like myself (that’s a generous way of saying a sot), you should be able to figure it out after a few sips.

The Jameson Bar

At the end of the tour, you’re entitled to one complimentary Jameson drink. Your choices are neat, on the rocks or a whiskey ginger cocktail. It’s the perfect way to end the tour.

That is, unless you added the Premium Whiskey Tasting. Now, that is the perfect way to actually end the tour!

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Premium Whiskey Tasting

After a few minutes, the whiskey expert called us and a few other people back to another room for the Premium Whiskey Tasting. It would have been nice to have a little longer with our complimentary drinks, but I understand they need to keep things moving for other groups.

We were able to take our drinks in with us to have while doing our tasting. The problem with this is that it ends up being quite a bit of alcohol in a short time (especially if your drink is neat like mine was). Make sure to plan to spend a little time walking around Midleton or else have a designated driver to take you back to your homebase once you’re done.

As far as the tasting itself, I thought it was worth the extra money. The whiskeys we sampled were Jameson Black Barrel, Powers John’s Lane Release, Redbreast 12 Year Old and Midleton Very Rare.

The Jameson Black does not seem particularly premium, but it was quite good. I actually picked up a bottle for myself from an online liquor service upon returning home in America. The Readbreast and Midleton drams were excellent! They both had a unique taste that made the premium tasting worth it. Powers was not good at all; it is a traditional Irish whiskey, though, so I appreciated the chance to try it.

The whiskey expert lent some interesting facts and history about each whiskey. More than anything, he was just fun to chat with during our time doing the tasting.

My only complaint about the entire tour is that this tasting is only 20 minutes long. You simply don’t have enough time really savor the different whiskeys in front of you.

Closing Thoughts of the Jameson Experience Tour

The Jameson Experience Tour gets a big thumbs up from me. Even if you don’t like whiskey, it’s still interesting to go through the buildings, learning the history of this facet of Irish culture. For those of you who are whiskey fans, you’re in for a real treat between all the whiskey making facts and the various tastings!

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42 comments, wanderingkellers.

Great post as always. I love these types of things. The history of the places and how things are produced always fascinates me. I also appreciate the honesty as well as there is always one whiskey that doesn’t quite live up to the others.

paulpassingthrough

The expert even said something along the lines of it not being many peoples’ favorites lol I think they just add it because it’s an old Irish whiskey. Thanks for the feedback!

This must have been a great experience. I don’t know if anybody makes whiskey here in Greece. Once I wes in Santorini I visited a wine museum which was a bit similar to the experience you had. My favourite part was the wine tasting at the end of the tour!

The tastings are always the best part. You could always check out an Ouzo distiller if you’re looking for something similar.

Ooh I’ve done a few whisky and ale tours I find them really interesting. Timing definitely doesn’t sound great on this one but I suppose the bigger brands have more visitors so they can’t really take their time like the local ones do.

Even just an additional 10 minutes would have been perfect. 20 minutes if enough for wine or beer tastings, but that’s a lot of liquor in that short a period of time. Maybe they’re not expecting everyone to want to finish. I hate wasting a single drop!

Mitch - Very Tasty World

Great post – it sounds like a fun and informative tour. This is the sort of thing we love doing when travelling. The premium whiskey tasting experience looked fantastic as there was such a variety to try, it was just a shame that it seemed a bit rushed. Whiskey is most definitely the sort of drink that you’d want to savour!

I know! At the very least they should let you take the tastings into another room. Alas!

I owned a holiday house in Cahir (about 70 miles north of Midleton) and was there often for the Summer but never knew Midleton had a Jameson’s Distillery. I’ve obviously missed out in visiting this place, especially as I often visited Cork, Youghal and even passed through Midleton several times. The tour sounds excellent – I am a big whisky fan (although prefer Scottish whisky to Irish … apologies to my irish friends !). I would love this tour and would certainly have relished understanding the history and processes in making the spirit. Those look quite hefty portions of each sample, and even more in the Premium tour which I defo would have done. The setting and copper pots/stills look captivating, you photos capture them well. What a fabulous chandelier – I want one!

You should check it out! You might be interested in the Behind the Scenes tour. From what I read, it’s everything I described except more detail and, I think, access to some places they don’t take you in the Jameson Experience Tour.

Carina | bucketlist2life

The tour sounds super interesting to me as a whisky lover. I’d love to do the premium tasting!

Thanks for reading! I hope you get a chance to visit someday 😊

Chalk and cheese travels

Love it Paul what a great experience would love to do this and still haven’t after 3 years. The premium tasting is something I would really enjoy

Next time you’re down south you should check it out! There’s also the Dublin tour which I’m sure is a fine alternative if it’s more convenient to your location.

I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to Ireland! I’ve never been to the Cork Jameson Distillery, only the Dublin one a few times (and yet I don’t drink whiskey!). Funny, as the Cork one is closer to where I’m from. It looks so much nicer too so the next time I’m back home in Ireland I’ll have to visit.

That seems to be the consensus from what I read online when planning which one to go to. You’ll have to let me know how you liked it compared to Dublin’s when you visit!

Molly Transatlantic Notes

Whiskey tasting sounds like a great idea — plus getting a tour of the whole process/history is a win win!

It was one of the better tours like this I’ve been on!

20 minutes for a tasting is rather short. Especially with Whiskey I would have thought they’d allow more time and provide some palate cleansers (like bread) in between. After all drinking on an empty stomach can increase the tipsy effect a lot. Would you say the tour could also appeal to non-whiskey drinkers, too? What did you think of Midleton?

Carolin | Solo Travel Story

There was water but no crackers or anything which was also a little surprising but not unheard of. Michelle hates whiskey but she still enjoyed it. She likes knowing how things are done/made. If you don’t care for either, though, you probably wouldn’t like it.

We didn’t really explore Midleton much. Since Michelle doesn’t like whiskey she didn’t drink much beyond just a small taste so she was okay to drive back.

Stephen & Andie

This has always been solidly on our must-do list for whenever we’re able to visit Ireland. Aside from Jameson happening to be my (Stephen) drink of choice, we feel it’s one of theose things you just have to do if your time and budget allow. We would definitely have to splurge for the Premium Tasting package. Although, 20 minutes does sound like a very short time to really enjoy it, even taking into acount the time contraints they must be under. Even 30 minutes would be a little more reasonable. We do appreciate your honesty about the one you didn’t like, and your spirit of trying and appreciating it because it’s traditional. That’s what travel’s all about!

p.s., OMG, the Jameson bottle chandeliere is so cool! 😁

Yeaha, 30 minutes would have been the perfect amount of time, I think. If Jameson is your favorite drink, then you definitely must check it out! I’d also recommend giving Redbreast a try if you haven’t had it yet.

Melissa Alvarado

This was amazing. I liked the chandelier made out of the bottles. Beautiful pictures. I liked the tour. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for the feedback, Melissa! The chandelier was really neat; that was in the premium tasting bar.

Sydney Brown Travels

This was such a thorough review/guide! I am not a huge whiskey drinker myself but I would absolutely go on this tour after reading your post. I love learning about the history of places and processes and it seems like this would be an interesting tour! I’ll let you know when I make it across the pond and go on this tour! 🙂

That’s how my wife is and she still enjoyed it so I think you’d have a good time! She did in the spirit and tried some of the whiskey….and she’s still not a fan haha

Peggy Zipperer

I love your take on this tour and to see how it compares to the one on Bow St. in Dublin. Sounds like the tour may have been very similar. I know exactly what you’re saying about the barrels, they are always one of the coolest sights.

What kind of tastings did they have at the Dublin location? Just curious if it was similar and timed the same way.

Lisa at Following the Rivera

It looks like you still had a great time even though the tasting was only 20 minutes. I’m more of a wine drinker, but would love to see where the Jameson whisky is made!

Seeing the cooperate could be interesting for you because they talk a little about wine barrels during that segment and how they impart certain flavors.

Vanessa Shields

What a fun tour! I think going on this tour might need to be a requirement when visiting Ireland. I find the making of whisky fascinating and learning the history of it. Too bad you couldn’t take a little longer to enjoy your whisky tasting.

Definitely something you should try to check out! It’s such an essential piece of Irish culture.

Wendy White

Very interesting to raed about the Jameson Experience Tour. We bought a bottle of the Jameson Black last year and quite enjoyed it. We both like our whiskey so would definitely like to do the premium tasting add on at the end, just a shame it’s only 20 minutes. I’d prefer to linger a bit longer over the drinks.

The Black is so good. I need to find a place where I can buy it near me (the subscription service I used to buy it before expired).

Literally just 10 more minutes would have made the whole thing perfect!

Stefan (Berkeley Square Barbarian)

Can’t visit Ireland without some whiskey tasting, I’m all bought in. Shame about the Powers, but good to hear Readbreast and Midleton made the extra money for the premium tasting worth it.

I mean, Powers wasn’t the WORST thing I ever put in my body, but it wasn’t great haha the other two were excellent, though. I actually had some Redbreast with dessert when we went out for dinner last night. It’s so good!

My father in law loves Jamesons so I will have to take him here one day. Thank you for sharing your experience.

He’d love it! I didn’t like Jameson beforehand (and I’m not even sure why because I’m pretty sure I had never had it before) but now it’s one of my favored whiskey’s. Thanks for reading 🙂

We just got back from a trip to east Cork and of course had to get a visit to Middleton in. We really enjoyed it too. Glad you like the redbreast, it’s my fave.

Glad you enjoyed the tour! I wish I could get Redbreast here for relatively cheapish. I know it’s expensive anyways, but shipping costs make it way too much for me to justify!

You look very happy in that photo at the tasting!! I’m not keen on whiskey but maybe I’ve just not tried the right ones. I thought I didn’t like sherry until I went to a tasting in Jerez so maybe I should add this to my list for my next trip to Ireland!

I can attest that I was not posing, I was very, very excited for that whiskey! I had looked forward to that all day haha Whiskey is definitely an acquired taste and cheap whiskeys are pretty bad. Everything I’ve had from Jameson has been pretty smooth, though.

The Spirits Business

Midleton unveils its oldest expression.

The fifth whiskey in the Silent Distillery Collection from Midleton Very Rare  was distilled by Max Crockett in 1973 and is the penultimate release in the range.

Chapter Five of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is a 49-year-old whisky – the oldest ever produced at Midleton. It was originally distilled in 1973, two years before the Old Midleton Distillery ceased operations. 

The single pot still whiskey was matured in ex-Bourbon barrels, which were then married for six months in cask number 52969, which also previously held Bourbon. Current master distiller Kevin O’Gorman oversaw the final whiskey-making process. 

“Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five embodies a captivating tale that celebrates the convergence of the finest wood, exceptional whiskey, and indomitable spirit of the master craftsmen who sit at the heart of the Old Midleton Distillery’s legacy,” O’Gorman said. 

“The result is truly remarkable, offering an exceptional liquid that exceeds expectations and promises an unforgettable experience. I eagerly invite whiskey enthusiasts to indulge in this exceptional liquid and discover the captivating history that accompanies the expression as they savour every sip.”

Bottled at 52.4% ABV and priced at €55,000 (US$55,000), the whiskey will be available in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the US, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Persian Gulf, Singapore and global travel retail.

The whiskey is packaged in a hand-blown and etched decanter from Waterford Crystal, which is housed in a tiger brown oak burr cabinet that features white leather and silver detailing.

On the nose, the expression has hints of fruit and notes of sugar-glazed almonds, worn leather, and heather honey. The palate brings stone and citrus fruit, herbal tea, dark chocolate, ginger, and toffee apple. 

The marrying cask is of particular note as it was repaired by Dominic Buckley in the mid-1970s. As is customary, Buckley marked it with his family signature and a stamp of “1” as a mark of quality and traceability. That barrel lasted for more than 50 years without leaking, and was later inspected and maintained by Dominic’s son, Ger Buckley, the current master cooper at Midleton.

“ I am extremely excited to see the culmination of our family’s heritage and craftsmanship captured within Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five. As a fifth-generation cooper, inspired and trained by my father and my uncle Donal, it is with immense pride that I see our legacy commemorated in this remarkable whiskey,” Ger Buckley said.

The release of Chapter Five comes on the heels of Midleton Very Rare celebrating its 40th anniversary with a commemorative Ruby Edition in February. Midleton Very Rare released its 2024 vintage alongside that whiskey, making Chapter Five the third whiskey from the prestigious brand this year.

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Midleton Very Rare's Silent Distillery Whiskey Can Be Yours for $55,000 USD

Made with the final droplets from the old midleton distillery, which closed in 1975..

Whiskey has become a luxury satiated by indulgence and class. If you’re searching for your next expensive treat, look no further than Midleton Very Rare ‘s Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five release.

The Irish whisky brand grounds itself in elevated beverages made at its vast distillery in County Cork — an angelic riverside town in Southwest Ireland. Midleton Very Rare is allowing fanatics to taste its annual creation, announcing its opulent, $55,000 USD Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five whiskey.

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Dublin Distillery

Jameson distillery bow st. dublin tour.

Founded by John Jameson in 1780, today the former factory stands as a monument to Irish Whiskey. Visit Jameson Distillery Dublin for the World’s leading distillery tours, cocktail-making classes, premium whiskey tasting sessions or to learn how to blend your own whiskey. All topped off with a Jameson at our centrepiece bar, straight from the proverbial source.

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At Jameson Midleton Distillery in Cork, come face-to-face with the world’s largest pot still on our Distillery Experience tour, enjoy a premium whiskey tasting

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